Six years ago, they had received a letter addressed to Roger from a missionary in a village in Papua New Guinea. Sadly, his old friend Iwati had been killed in the eruption of the ancient Omafeki volcano the year before. Destroyed, too, was the small lake island and the only known locale where grew the tabukari orchid with the odd scent of apples and rotted flesh. No age had been given for Iwati. But Brett had an idea.

He peddled down Johnson Street to his apartment.

Later Carolyn would drop over, and because it was Saturday they'd probably have some wine and pizza and watch a video. Maybe Blade Runner again.

He carried the bike upstairs. He was hot and sweaty and looking forward to a long shower.

But before that, he headed to the kitchen and pulled a quart of grapefruit juice from the fridge and downed half while staring at the photo of Carolyn magneted to the freezer door. She was dressed in a bridesmaid gown at a friend's wedding, looking as fresh and beautiful as the gardenias in her hair. She was the first woman he had ever loved. The first woman he felt comfortable confiding in. The first woman he thought about spending the rest of his life with. Carolyn knew everything about him.

Or almost everything.

He pulled open the freezer door. From behind the stack of veggie burgers and pints of frozen yogurt, he removed the little white plastic box, furry with frost.

The ice seal melted in his hand and snapped open.

It still looked the same after all these years-still chained and encased in gold. He could almost feel the heat of the fire as his hand shot in to pull it free.

He flicked open the end and removed the glass tube.

Some things didn't change. Like the first time, he held it up to the ceiling lamp and felt a tiny thrill shiver through his loins. The light caught it from behind.

A shaft of frozen eternity, waiting to thaw.

About the Author

GARY BRAVER teaches creative writing and popular culture at Northeastern University. He lives with his wife and two sons outside Boston, Massachusetts.

Visit Gary Braver's Web site at: www.garybraver.com